Sundell (3-0) outstruck Pereira (3-3) over three rounds in their women’s bantamweight matchup, earning a unanimous decision with three 29-28 scores.
Smilla Sundell beats Aline Pereira at DWCS as Mick Maynard backs 21-year-old's UFC signing
A former One Championship muay Thai titleholder, Sundell pressed forward from the opening bell, mixing her strikes to keep Pereira on the defensive. Her Brazilian opponent found success with counters and scored a takedown in the third round, but Sundell returned to her feet and resumed applying pressure until the final horn.
Sundell earned a contract despite UFC CEO Dana White’s reservations about her readiness. White initially wanted the 21-year-old to gain more experience outside the promotion, but matchmaker Mick Maynard persuaded him to sign her.
At the postfight news conference, Sundell said that despite her limited MMA experience, she has competed in combat sports since her early teens and is ready for the UFC.
“I have been fighting since I was 12,” Sundell said. “I know how it is to fight and I know how it is to get hit. I have been taken down. I know I belong here.”
29-28 across the board ✍️ Smilla Sundell takes home the UD win! [ #DWCS | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] https://t.co/eZI50lbvPu— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) October 14, 2026